Vancouver Canucks, Alex Burrows start talks on contract extension

Team also preparing to try and extend defenceman Alex Edler

Alex Burrows, considered a bargain at $2 million a season, has had four straight seasons of 25 or more goals. He scored 28 goals and had 52 points for the Canucks last season. The 31-year-old had his best season in 2009-10 when he had 35 goals and 67 points, both career highs.

Photograph by: Gerry Kahrmann
, PNG files

VANCOUVER — As they patiently await an answer from Shane Doan, the Vancouver Canucks have begun preliminary talks aimed at signing winger Alex Burrows to a contract extension.

Assistant general manager Laurence Gilman confirmed Friday that he has had recent discussions with Burrows' agent, Paul Corbeil.

Burrows is set to enter the final year of a four-year contract that pays him $2 million a season.

He has proved to be a bargain at that price. Playing mainly with the Sedin twins, Burrows has had four straight seasons of 25 or more goals. He scored 28 goals and had 52 points for the Canucks last season. The 31-year-old had his best season in 2009-10 when he had 35 goals and 67 points, both career highs.

"Alex is an important player on our team, both on the ice and in our dressing room," Gilman said. "And if we can get him signed to a long-term deal that keeps him with us for a number of years it would be a very good thing."

Burrows' numbers obviously have him in line for a significant raise. But like so many other of his teammates before him, Burrows will be expected to sign for less than he might command on the open market if he was to become an unrestricted free agent next July 1.

A deal for about $4 million a season could be in the cards. Wayne Simmonds, who had similar numbers to Burrows last season, just signed a six-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers for $3.975 million a season.

Detroit forward Johan Franzen and New York RangerS winger Ryan Callahan are also being used as comparables to Burrows. Franzen's long-term deal with the Wings pays him $3.975 million a season, while Callahan has two years at $4.275 million a season remaining on his contract with the Rangers.

Gilman said there is nothing new to report on the Canucks' pursuit of Doan, who continues to see how the Phoenix ownership situation evolves before he makes a decision.

Doan visited with CanuckS management at a downtown Vancouver restaurant earlier this month. If he does not re-sign with the Coyotes — which is his stated preference — the Canucks and Rangers are believed to be the two front-runners for his services.

"As you know, we have had talks with both Shane personally and with Shane's representative (Terry Bross)," Gilman said. "We have tendered an offer. At this point, Shane is looking at his alternatives and we are waiting for him to decide what he wants to do."

If Doan was to sign with the Canucks, it could well impact Burrows, as coach Alain Vigneault would likely give Doan a long look with the Sedin twins. Doan would bring an added physical presence to the line and could conceivably help open up more ice for the twins.

If that was to happen, Burrows would drop down to play on the second line with Ryan Kesler.

Gilman said the team will likely soon begin talks to extend the contract of defenceman Alex Edler, who is entering the final year of a contract that pays him $3.25 million a season. That makes Edler the fifth highest-paid defenceman on the Canucks behind Kevin Bieksa and Jason Garrison (both $4.6 million), Dan Hamhuis ($4.5 million) and Keith Ballard ($4.2 million). Edler led Canucks defencemen with 11 goals and 49 points last season.

"It is safe to assume we will be commencing discussions with Alex's representative (Mark Stowe) in a short period of time," Gilman said.

Alex Burrows, considered a bargain at $2 million a season, has had four straight seasons of 25 or more goals. He scored 28 goals and had 52 points for the Canucks last season. The 31-year-old had his best season in 2009-10 when he had 35 goals and 67 points, both career highs.

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